Qiongkushitai Travel Guide: Wusun Trail & Grassland Routes Explained

If you’re planning a trip to Yili in Xinjiang, Qiongkushitai will likely be on your list. Yet many travelers leave feeling it was “just okay.” The truth is—it’s not the destination, it’s how you plan it. This guide breaks down the Front Mountain, Back Mountain, and the Wusun Ancient Trail with real, practical advice so you can experience the best of Qiongkushitai without wasting time.

Qiongkushitai

📍Understanding Qiongkushitai: How to Plan It Right

Qiongkushitai is a highland pastoral village in Tekes County, Yili, surrounded by mountains. The layout is simple:

Front Mountain: Forests + streams + snow mountains (Wusun Ancient Trail entrance)
Middle Area: Qiongkushitai Village (main hub for food & accommodation)
Back Mountain: Grasslands + spruce forests + “Instagram swing”

👉 Best strategy: Stay in the village and split Front/Back Mountain across 2 days

🚗 Getting There & Critical Driving Tip (Don’t Ignore This‼️)

Driving from Tekes to Qiongkushitai requires crossing two mountain passes:

Narrow roads, steep climbs, sharp U-turns
Some unpaved sections
Feels like a real-life Initial D mountain drive

‼️ IMPORTANT: Fill up your gas tank before leaving!

Many travelers underestimate the distance and fuel consumption.

👉 Reality:

No gas stations in the mountains
Weak or no signal (download offline maps!)
Limited roadside assistance

⚠️ Not recommended for inexperienced drivers, especially after rain.

🏡 Where to Stay

Plan to stay at least one night.

Option 1: Qiongkushitai Village (Recommended ⭐)

Pros:

More dining options
Affordable
Convenient for both Front & Back Mountain

Best for:
👉 Most travelers / first-time visitors

Option 2: Back Mountain (Grassland Area)

Pros:

Step outside into open grasslands
Great views

Cons:

Expensive
Requires transfer or pickup
Limited food options

Best for:
👉 Photography-focused travelers with flexible budget

💡 Recommendation: Stay in the village for the best balance

Qiongkushitai

🥢 What to Eat

Food is underrated here:

Many guesthouses have their own restaurants
Local small eateries can be surprisingly good

📌 Tip:
Don’t just follow online recommendations—some roadside places serve excellent lamb dishes with very high quality meat.

🏔 Core Experience #1: Wusun Ancient Trail (Front Mountain – MUST DO)

This is the true highlight of Qiongkushitai.

📍Why Front Mountain?

Compared to the grasslands, it offers:

✅ Primitive forests
✅ Streams and wooden bridges
✅ Snow mountain views (best in May)
✅ Fewer tourists
✅ Easy hiking

👉 This combination is unique in Yili.

🚶 Easy 4-Hour Hiking Route

Route:
Village → Trail entrance → ~6 km round trip

Sections:

1. 0–1 km

Forest + stream
Beautiful wooden bridges

2. 1–2 km

Open views
Grassland + snow mountains

3. 2–3 km

Wide नदी valley
Great for picnics

👉 Beginners can turn back here.

🐎 Horse Riding?

Optional, not necessary.

5 route stages
Insurance: ~10 RMB
Long route: ~288 RMB

⚠️ Tips:
❌ Avoid short routes (not scenic)
✅ Longer routes = better views

📸 Photo Spots

Wooden bridge (~1 km)
Valley grassland (~2.5 km)
Snow mountains at sunset

Qiongkushitai

🏔 Core Experience #2: Back Mountain (Manage Expectations‼️)

👉 Worth visiting, but not the highlight.

🚗 How It Works

Drive uphill
Park midway
Ride a horse or hike

🐎 Horse Riding Info

~288 RMB per person
~3 hours
Limited free time at top

⚠️ Notes:

No safety protection
Bumpy ride
Horses can be unstable

📊 Honest Review

Pros:

Expansive grasslands
Dramatic views

Cons:
❌ Similar to Nalati & Qiaxi
❌ Crowded photo spots
❌ Time-consuming

👉 Conclusion: Optional, not essential

Front vs Back Mountain

Front Mountain (Wusun Trail)

✔ Unique landscape
✔ Easy walking
✔ Quiet
✔ Half-day enough

👉 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Must visit

Back Mountain

✔ Wide open views
❌ Replaceable

👉 ⭐⭐⭐ Optional

🧭 Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival
Check in village
Explore Front Mountain

Day 2

Back Mountain (optional)
Return

👉 Short on time? Skip Back Mountain.

Qiongkushitai

🌟 Practical Tips

1️⃣ Fill up gas
2️⃣ Download offline maps
3️⃣ Bring a jacket (temperature drops)
4️⃣ Wear hiking shoes
5️⃣ Strong sun protection needed
6️⃣ Go early for parking (Back Mountain)
7️⃣ Be cautious when riding horses